348 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES. 



care, by placing the plants firmly on the side of a fur- 

 row and covering with another furrow. Some large grow- 

 ers use the transplanting machine mentioned for sweet 

 potatoes, and it works well when the soil is in good con- 

 dition. 



Distance depends upon variety. The usual distance is 

 six feet apart each way, for the standard growers, but 

 some plant more widely, even to seven and eight feet each 

 way, and dwarf varieties are set at intervals of four feet. 



Summer Treatment. Very seldom is any effort made 

 even in garden culture to support the plant above the 

 earth surface. As the crop is almost wholly grown with- 

 out irrigation or with sub-irrigation by seepage from 

 ditches, the earth surface is always warm and dry, and 

 rot is almost unknown. The soil should be cultivated as 

 long as it can be done without injury to the prostrate 

 plants. Well-grown plants on rich soils almost cover the 

 surface even when given the widest distances. 



It is commonly believed that excessive growth of foliage 

 retards ripening and reduces fruitage. Whenever this oc- 

 curs, as on very rich and moist interior soils, free cutting 

 back of the plants with a scythe, is practiced with good 

 results. Summer pruning of over-rank garden plants is 

 also desirable, and may cause the fruit to set rather than 

 drop in the blossom. 



Irrigation. As already stated, the tomato abhors dry 

 soil, and in some situations irrigation is essential. Care 

 must be had against over-irrigation, especially in the coast 

 region, where proper planting and cultivation will give 

 satisfactory results with the natural moisture. Not only 

 does excessive watering promote foilage at the expense of 

 fruit which drops in the bloom, but it is apt to give a 

 tomato which slices up into cart-wheels instead of firm 

 and solid discs of flesh. Most growers cultivate too slackly, 

 especially when irrigation water is used. 



Irrigation by flooding is sometimes successfully prac- 



